UK specification for ground investigation

Cover
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword and essential reading
Introduction
Specification and Notes for Guidance
	1 Information
		1.1 General
	2 Definitions
		2.1 General
		2.2 Investigation supervisor
		2.3 Ground practitioners and other personnel
		2.4 Hazardous ground
		2.5 Land affected by contamination
		2.6 Topsoil
		2.7 Soil
		2.8 Hard material, hard stratum and obstruction
		2.9 Fill
		2.10 Made ground
		2.11 Exploratory hole
		2.12 Surface water bodies
		2.13 Percussion boring
		2.14 Rotary drilling
		2.15 Resonance drilling
		2.16 Inspection pit
		2.17 Trial pits and trenches
		2.18 Observation pits and trenches
		2.19 Sample
		2.20 Hygiene facility
		2.21 Sampling well
		2.22 Daily record
		2.23 Electronic information
	3 General requirements
		3.1 Work not required
		3.2 British Standards and equivalent
		3.3 Quality management
		3.4 Investigation Supervisor’s facilities
		3.5 Management, Superintendence and Professional Attendance
		3.6 Ground practitioners and other personnel
		3.7 Information on existing site conditions
		3.8 General safety requirements
		3.9 Notice of entry
		3.10 Access routes
		3.11 Security of site
		3.12 Traffic safety and management
		3.13 Working hours
		3.14 Qualifications of site operatives
		3.15 Care in executing the work
		3.16 Working areas
		3.17 Claims for damage
		3.18 Methods of investigation
		3.19 Location of exploratory holes
		3.20 Ground elevation of exploratory holes
		3.21 Exploratory work
		3.22 Notifiable and invasive weeds
		3.23 Anomalous conditions
		3.24 Surface water control
		3.25 Photographs
		3.26 Disposal of Arisings
	4 Percussion boring
		4.1 Method and diameter
		4.2 Addition of water to the borehole
		4.3 Hard stratum or obstruction in percussion boring
		4.4 Artesian water
		4.5 Backfilling
		4.6 Dynamic (window and windowless) sampling
	5 Rotary drilling
		5.1 Augering
		5.2 Rotary drilling: general
		5.3 Drilling fluid (flushing medium)
		5.4 Rotary drilling with core recovery
		5.5 Non-core rotary drilling
		5.6 Resonance (sonic) drilling
		5.7 Backfilling
		5.8 Photographs
	6 Pitting and trenching
		6.1 Inspection pits
		6.2 Trial pits and trenches
		6.3 Observation pits and trenches
		6.4 Obstructions and hard material
		6.5 Entry of personnel
		6.6 Excavation
		6.7 Pit and trench dimensions
		6.8 Description
		6.9 Groundwater
		6.10 Backfilling
		6.11 Protection to pits and trenches left open
		6.12 Photographs
		6.13 Daily provision of pitting equipment and crew
	7 Sampling and monitoring Notes for Guidance during intrusive investigation
		7.1 General
		7.2 Recording depths of samples
		7.3 Labelling of samples
		7.4 Description of samples
		7.5 Storage and protection of samples
		7.6 Samples for geotechnical purposes
		7.7 Groundwater measurements during exploratory hole construction
		7.8 Special geotechnical sampling
		7.9 Samples for contamination assessment and Waste Acceptance Criteria testing
		7.10 Sampling and testing of surface water bodies
	8 Probing and cone penetration testing
		8.1 Dynamic probing
		8.2 Static cone penetrometer tests
		8.3 Seismic cone penetrometer tests
		8.4 Other cones and specialist probes
		8.5 Specialist personnel
	9 Geophysical testing
		9.1 General
		9.2 Information provided
		9.3 Horizontal data density
		9.4 Level datum
		9.5 Calibrations and conformance
		9.6 Site log book
		9.7 Survey report
	10 In situ testing
		10.1 Calibration of measuring instruments
		10.2 Testing: general
		10.3 Tests in accordance with British Standards
		10.4 Hand penetrometer and hand vane for shear strength
		10.5 Pressuremeter
		10.6 Soil infiltration test
		10.7 Special in situ geotechnical testing
		10.8 Interface probe tests
		10.9 Contamination screening tests
		10.10 Metal detection
	11 Instrumentation
		11.1 General
		11.2 Covers
		11.3 Fencing
		11.4 Installation of groundwater standpipes and piezometers
		11.5 Installation of ground gas standpipes
		11.6 Inclinometers
		11.7 Slip indicators
		11.8 Extensometers and settlement gauges
		11.9 Settlement monuments
		11.10 Removal of installations
		11.11 Other instrumentation
	12 Installation monitoring and sampling
		12.1 General
		12.2 Groundwater level readings in installations
		12.3 Groundwater sampling from installations
		12.4 Monitoring in ground gas standpipes
		12.5 Sampling from ground gas installations
		12.6 Monitoring of ground movements
		12.7 Interface probe tests
		12.8 Other monitoring
		12.9 Sampling and testing of surface water bodies
	13 Daily records
		13.1 General
		13.2 Information for daily records
		13.3 Chain of custody
		13.4 Special in situ testing and instrumentation records
	14 Geotechnical laboratory testing
		14.1 Test schedules
		14.2 Testing procedures
		14.3 Accreditation
		14.4 Soil testing
		14.5 Rock testing
		14.6 Chemical testing for aggressive ground/groundwater for concrete
	15 Geoenvironmental laboratory testing
		15.1 Preparation of test schedule
		15.2 Accreditation
		15.3 Chemical testing for contaminated ground
		15.4 Waste characterisation
		15.5 Waste Acceptance Criteria testing
		15.6 Laboratory testing on site
		15.7 Special laboratory testing
	16 Reporting
		16.1 Preliminary logs
		16.2 Exploratory hole logs
		16.3 Preliminary laboratory test results
		16.4 Drawings
		16.5 Digital data
		16.6 Form of reports
		16.7 Contents of desk study report
		16.8 Contents of Ground Investigation Report
		16.9 Contents of Geotechnical Design Report
		16.10 Submission of electronic information
		16.11 Approval of report
	17 References and bibliography
		Legislation
			Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2007)
			Control of Pollution Act (1974)
			Environmental Protection Act (1990)
			Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations (2005)
			Management of Health and Safety at Work and Fire Precautions  (workplace) (amendments) Regulations (2003)
			Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
			New Roads and Street Works Act (1991)
			Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (1992)
			Safe Use of Lifting Equipment: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) (1998)
			Safe Use of Work Equipment: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) (1998)
		Standards and Codes of Practice (published by BSI)
			BSI (1988) BS 1881-124: Methods of analysis of hardened concrete
			BSI (1989) BS 812: Testing aggregates
			BSI (1990) BS 1377: Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes
			BSI (1996) BS EN 1097: Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates
			BSI (1997) BS EN 932: Testing aggregates
			BSI (1997) BS EN 933: Tests for geometric properties of aggregates
			BSI (1998) BS EN 1367: Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates
			BSI (1999) BS 5930: Code of practice for site investigations
			BSI (2002) BS EN 12457: Characterisation of waste – leaching – compliance test for leaching of granular waste materials and sludges
			BSI (2002) BS EN ISO 14688-1: Geotechnical investigation and testing – Identification and classification of soil. Identification and description
			BSI (2003) BS EN ISO 14689-1: Geotechnical investigation and testing – Identification and classification of rock. Identification and description
			BSI (2004) BS EN ISO 14001: Environmental Management systems. Requirements with guidance for use
			BSI (2004) BS EN ISO 14688-2: Geotechnical investigation and testing – Identification and classification of soil. Principles for a classification
			BSI (2005) BS EN ISO 5667-6: Water quality. Sampling. Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams
			BSI (2005) BS EN ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competency of testing and calibration laboratories
			BSI (2005) BS EN ISO 22476-2: Geotechnical investigation and testing. Field testing. Dynamic probing
			BSI (2005) BS EN ISO 22476-3: Geotechnical investigation and testing. Field testing. Standard penetration test
			BSI (2006) BS EN ISO 5667-1: Water quality. Sampling. Guidance on the design of sampling programmes and sampling techniques
			BSI (2006) BS EN ISO 22475-1: Geotechnical investigation and testing – sampling methods and groundwater measurements – Part 1: Technical principles for execution
			BSI (2007) BS EN 1997-2: Eurocode 7 – Geotechnical design. Part 2: Ground investigation and testing
			BSI (2007) BS OHSAS 18001: Occupational health and safety management systems
			BSI (2007) BS ISO 18512: Soil Quality: Guidance on long and short term storage of soil samples
			BSI (2008) BS EN ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems – requirements
			BSI (2009) BS ISO 5667-11: Water Quality. Sampling. Guidance on sampling of groundwaters
			BSI (2011) BS 8417: Preservation of wood
			BSI (2011) BS 10175: Investigation of potentially contaminated sites: Code of practice
			BSI (2011) BS EN ISO 22475-2: Geotechnical investigation and testing – sampling methods and groundwater measurements – Part 2: Qualification criteria for enterprises and personnel
			BSI (2011) BS EN ISO 22475-3: Geotechnical investigation and testing – sampling methods and groundwater measurements – Part 3: Conformity assessment of enterprises and personnel by third parties
		Miscellaneous
			American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) (1966)
			Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) (1991)
			Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) (2010)
			British Drilling Association (BDA) (2007)
			British Standards/International Organization for Standardization (2003)
			Building Research Establishment (BRE) (1995)
			Building Research Establishment (BRE) (2005)
			Building Research Establishment (BRE) (2007)
			Butcher AP, McElmeel K and Powell JJM (1995)
			Clarke GB and Smith A (1992)
			Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) (1998)
			Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) (2002)
			Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) (2007)
			Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) (2009)
			Darracott BW and McCann DM (1986)
			Department for the Environment (DOE) (1994)
			Department for Transport (DFT) (2006)
			Department for Transport (DFT) (2011)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2000)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2004)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2005)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2006)
			Gosling RC and Baldwin M (2010)
			Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2000)
			Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2002)
			Hepton P and Gosling RC (2008)
			Highways Agency (2011)
			Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) (2003)
			Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) (2010)
			International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) (2007)
			Site Investigation Steering Group (SISG) (2012)
			Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) (1996)
			Transport Research Laboratories (TRL) TRL447 (Updated) (2005)
		Further reading
			BSI (1980) BS 7022: Geophysical logging of boreholes for hydrogeological purposes
			BSI (2000) BS EN 197-1: Cement. Compositions, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements
			BSI (2002) BS ISO 10381: Soil quality: Sampling
			BSI (2004) BS EN 1997-1: Eurocode 7 – Geotechnical design. Part 1: General rules
			Clark GB (1966)
			Clarke GB, Allan P, Akbar K and Irvine J (2005)
			Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) (1983)
			Environment Agency (EA) (1997)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2001)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2003)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2004)
			Environment Agency (EA) (2006)
			Environmental Protection: The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations (2001)
			Geological Society Engineering Group (1988)
			Head KH (1992)
			Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (1991)
			Mair RJ and Wood DM (1987)
			Valentine SJ and Norbury DR (2011)
			Water, England and Wales: The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (2001)
	Appendix I: Groundwater standpipes and piezometers
		AI.1 Standpipes
			Drawing AI.1 Schematic drawing of a standpipe installation
		AI.2 Standpipe piezometers
			Drawing AI.2 Schematic drawing of a standpipe piezometer installation
	Appendix II: Ground gas monitoring standpipe
		AII.1 Ground gas monitoring standpipe
		Drawing AII.1 Schematic drawing of a ground gas monitoring installation
Schedules and Notes for Guidance
	Specification
	Schedule 1: Information and site-specific requirements
		General comments
		S1.1 Name of Contract
		S1.2 Investigation Supervisor
		S1.3 Description of site
		S1.4 Main works proposed and purpose of this contract
		S1.5 Scope of investigation
		S1.6 Geology and ground conditions
		S1.7 Schedule of drawing(s) and documents
		S1.8 General requirements (Specification Section 3) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.9 Percussion boring (Specification Section 4) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.10 Rotary drilling (Specification Section 5) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.11 Pitting and trenching (Specification Section 6) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.12 Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation(Specification Section 7) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.13 Probing and cone penetration testing (Specification Section 8) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.14 Geophysical testing (Specification Section 9) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.15 In situ testing (Specification Section 10) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.16 Instrumentation (Specification Section 11) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.17 Installation monitoring and sampling (Specification Section 12) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.18 Daily records (Specification Section 13) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.19 Geotechnical laboratory testing (Specification Section 14)  Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.20 Geoenvironmental laboratory testing (Specification Section 15) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		S1.21 Reporting (Specification Section 16) Particular restrictions/relaxations
	Schedule 2: Exploratory holes
		S2.1 Hole number
		S2.2 Type
		S2.3 Scheduled depth
		S2.4 National grid reference
		S2.5 Approximate ground level
		S2.6 Remarks
	Schedule 3: Investigation Supervisor’s facilities
		S3.1 Accommodation
		S3.2 Furnishings
		S3.3 Services
		S3.4 Equipment
		S3.5 Transport
		S3.6 Personal Protective Equipment for Investigation Supervisor
	Schedule 4: Specification amendments
		Notes for Guidance
	Schedule 5: Specification additions
		Notes for Guidance
Annex 1 Bill of Quantities for Ground Investigation
	Bill of Quantities Section A: General items, provisional services and additional items – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill A General items, provisional services and additional items
	Bill of Quantities Section B: Percussion boring – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill B Percussion boring
	Bill of Quantities Section C: Rotary drilling – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill C Rotary drilling
	Bill of Quantities Section D: Pitting and trenching – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill D Pitting and trenching
	Bill of Quantities Section E: Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill E Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation
	Bill of Quantities Section F: Probing and cone penetration testing – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill F Probing and cone penetration testing
	Bill of Quantities Section G: Geophysical testing – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill G Geophysical testing
	Bill of Quantities Section H: In situ testing – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill H In situ testing
	Bill of Quantities Section I: Instrumentation – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill I Instrumentation
	Bill of Quantities Section J: Installation monitoring and sampling – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill J Installation monitoring and sampling (during fieldwork period)
	Bill of Quantities Section K: Geotechnical laboratory testing – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill K Geotechnical laboratory testing
	Bill of Quantities Section L: Geoenvironmental laboratory testing – Notes for Guidance
		Bill of Quantities
		Bill L Geoenvironmental laboratory testing
	Summary of Bill of Quantities
	Appendix A. Rates for Ground Practitioners and other Personnel
	Appendix B. Long-term sample storage
Example uses of the Schedules and Bills of Quantities
	General comments
	Example A
		Particulars of this example
		Schedule 1: Information and site-specific requirements
			S1.1 Name of Contract
			S1.2 Investigation Supervisor
			S1.3 Description of site
			S1.4 Main works proposed and purpose of this contract
			S1.5 Scope of investigation
			S1.6 Geology and ground conditions
			S1.7 Schedule of drawing(s) and documents
			S1.8 General requirements (Specification Section 3) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.9 Percussion boring (Specification Section 4) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.10 Rotary drilling (Specification Section 5) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.11 Pitting and trenching (Specification Section 6) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.12 Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation (Specification Section 7) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.13 Probing and cone penetration testing (Specification Section 8) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.14 Geophysical testing (Specification Section 9) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.15 In situ testing (Specification Section 10) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.16 Instrumentation (Specification Section 11) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.17 Installation monitoring and sampling (Specification Section 12) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.18 Daily records (Specification Section 13) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.19 Geotechnical laboratory testing (Specification Section 14) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.20 Geoenvironmental laboratory testing (Specification Section 15) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.21 Reporting (Specification Section 16) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		Schedule 2: Exploratory holes
		Schedule 3: Investigation Supervisor’s facilities
			S3.1 Accommodation
			S3.2 Furnishings
			S3.3 Services
			S3.4 Equipment
			S3.5 Transport
			S3.6 Personal Protective Equipment for Investigation Supervisor
		Schedule 4: Specification amendments
		Schedule 5: Specification additions
		Annex 1 Bill of Quantities for Ground Investigation
			Preamble amendments and additions
			Bill of Quantities
			Bill A General items, provisional services and additional items
			Bill B Percussion boring
			Bill C Rotary drilling
			Bill D Pitting and trenching
			Bill E Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation
			Bill F Probing and cone penetration testing
			Bill G Geophysical testing
			Bill H In situ testing
			Bill I Instrumentation
			Bill J Installation monitoring and sampling
			Bill K Geotechnical laboratory testing
			Bill L Geoenvironmental laboratory testing
		Summary of Bill of Quantities
		Appendix A. Rates for Ground Practitioners and other Personnel
		Appendix B. Long-term sample storage
	Example B
		Particulars of the example
		Schedule 1: Information and site-specific requirements
			S1.1 Name of Contract
			S1.2 Investigation Supervisor
			S1.3 Description of site
			S1.4 Main works proposed and purpose of this contract
			S1.5 Scope of investigation
			S1.6 Geology and ground conditions
			S1.7 Schedule of drawing(s) and documents
			S1.8 General requirements (Specification Section 3) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.9 Percussion boring (Specification Section 4) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.10 Rotary drilling (Specification Section 5) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.11 Pitting and trenching (Specification Section 6) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.12 Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation (Specification Section 7) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.13 Probing and cone penetration testing (Specification Section 8) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.14 Geophysical testing (Specification Section 9) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.15 In situ testing (Specification Section 10) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.16 Instrumentation (Specification Section 11) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.17 Installation monitoring and sampling (Specification Section 12) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.18 Daily records (Specification Section 13) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.19 Geotechnical laboratory testing (Specification Section 14) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.20 Geoenvironmental laboratory testing (Specification Section 15) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.21 Reporting (Specification Section 16) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		Schedule 2: Exploratory holes
		Schedule 3: Investigation Supervisor’s facilities
			S3.1 Accommodation
			S3.2 Furnishings
			S3.3 Services
			S3.4 Equipment
			S3.5 Transport
			S3.6 Personal Protective Equipment for Investigation Supervisor
		Schedule 4: Specification amendments
		Schedule 5: Specification additions
		Annex 1 Bill of Quantities for Ground Investigation
			Preamble amendments and additions
			23
			Bill of Quantities
			Bill A General items, provisional services and additional items
			Bill B Percussion boring
			Bill C Rotary drilling
			Bill D Pitting and trenching
			Bill E Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation
			Bill F Probing and cone penetration testing
			Bill G Geophysical testing
			Bill H In situ testing
			Bill I Instrumentation
			Bill J Installation monitoring and sampling
			Bill K Geotechnical laboratory testing
			Bill L Geoenvironmental laboratory testing
		Summary of Bill of Quantities
		Appendix A. Rates for Ground Practitioners and other Personnel
		Appendix B. Long-term sample storage
	Example C
		Particulars of the example
		Schedule 1: Information and site-specific requirements
			S1.1 Name of Contract
			S1.2 Investigation Supervisor
			S1.3 Description of site
			S1.4 Main works proposed and purpose of this contract
			S1.5 Scope of investigation
			S1.6 Geology and ground conditions
			S1.7 Schedule of drawing(s) and documents
			S1.8 General requirements (Specification Section 3)Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.9 Percussion boring (Specification Section 4) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.10 Rotary drilling (Specification Section 5) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.11 Pitting and trenching (Specification Section 6)Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.12 Sampling during intrusive investigation (Specification Section 7) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.13 Probing and cone penetration testing (Specification Section 8) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.14 Geophysical testing (Specification Section 9) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.15 In situ testing (Specification Section 10) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.16 Instrumentation (Specification Section 11) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.17 Installation monitoring and sampling (Specification Section 12) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.18 Daily records (Specification Section 13) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.19 Geotechnical laboratory testing (Specification Section 14) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.20 Chemical laboratory testing (Specification  Section15) Particular restrictions/relaxations
			S1.21 Reporting (Specification Section 16) Particular restrictions/relaxations
		Schedule 2: Exploratory holes
		Schedule 3: Investigation Supervisor’s facilities
			S3.1 Accommodation
			S3.2 Furnishings
			S3.3 Services
			S3.4 Equipment
			S3.5 Transport
			S3.6 Personal Protective Equipment for Investigation Supervisor
		Schedule 4: Specification amendments
		Schedule 5: Specification additions
		Annex 1 Bill of Quantities for Ground Investigation
			Preamble amendments and additions
			Bill of Quantities
			Bill A General items, provisional services and additional items
			Bill B Percussion boring
			Bill C Rotary drilling
			Bill D Pitting and trenching
			Bill E Sampling and monitoring during intrusive investigation
			Bill F Probing and cone penetration testing
			Bill G Geophysical testing
			Bill H In situ testing
			Bill I Instrumentation
			Bill J Installation monitoring and sampling
			Bill K Geotechnical laboratory testing
			Bill L Geoenvironmental laboratory testing
		Summary of Bill of Quantities
		Appendix A. Rates for Ground Practitioners and other Personnel
		Appendix B. Long-term sample storage
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